Community-supported agriculture takes root in Central Minnesota

Basil grows Wednesday at <137>is shown sprouting on Monday morning.<137> Baker’s Acres. The Avon farm is one of many that sell goods under the community-supported agriculture model.(Photo:
William Camargo, wcamargo@stcloudtimes.com
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AVON It's a hot Wednesday afternoon, and Lisa Baker is slaving away in a field of vegetables on her 15-acre farm.

To expand business at her third-year community-supported agriculture operation — commonly referred to as a CSA — she currently pays herself $1,000 a month.

"I'm voluntarily homeless," Baker joked. "I've had to pick up side jobs wherever I can."

But there's no job she'd rather be doing.

Especially not working in a cubicle, a task she did for a decade working in marketing.

"The only thing I miss sometimes is air conditioning," said Baker, who grew up on an Avon hobby farm. "You lose common sense when you are in the city. I wanted to get that back."

Baker bought the former rye field in fall 2010. She's in the process of getting the farm, titled Baker's Acres, certified organic. She has one of several CSA operations that have sprouted in Central Minnesota as consumers put a higher priority on locally grown foods.

Members of the Baker's Acres CSA program receive a basket of fresh produce weekly from June until October. Some customers elect a smaller package and receive produce once every two weeks.

Members pay in advance before the season starts and pick up the produce at designated locations. Baker's Acres has seven Central Minnesota pick-up locations and four others scattered throughout the Twin Cities.

Baker's Acres also sells produce to restaurants in Minneapolis, Albany and St. Anna.

Some CSA programs also include farm-fresh eggs and organic meat options.

"Central Minnesota is a great place to do a CSA," Baker said. "People are receptive to it."

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Lisa Baker stands near the greenhouse located at her farm in Avon. Baker’s Acres is one of many community-supported agriculture farms in Minnesota. Its CSA subscriptions are sold out for the rest of the 2014 season.(Photo: William Camargo, wcamargo@stcloudtimes.com)

Baker's Acres has about 60 CSA subscriptions this year, double its 2013 total. Bannockburn Farm of Cold Spring has about 120 CSA subscriptions, which increased from 100 in 2013. Common Ground Garden of St. Joseph has about 70 CSA subscriptions.

All three CSA programs are close to being filled up.

"I think it's really a powerful thing to know where your produce is coming from," said Kate Ritger of Common Ground Garden. "I think people wish they grew it themselves. There's something satisfying about growing your own food."

Some of the vegetable production is aided by hoop houses that act like a greenhouse and add 20 degrees to outside temperatures.

Crops that can thrive in colder temperatures, such as lettuce, peas and spinach, are planted in the hoop houses in the spring. They can tolerate a light frost overnight, thaw then grow during the day.

Crops that can thrive in warmer temperatures, such as peppers and tomatoes, are planted in the hoop houses in the summer. This accelerates the harvest date.

In addition to traditional vegetables, CSAs often include more exotic items. The farms offer recipes on how to use the vegetables.

This year, Baker is growing red komatsuna and tatsoi, both Asian greens similar to spinach.

Bannockbarn Farm also offers CSA credit for help working in the field. They've even had children as young as 5 help out.

"You can see everything firsthand," Haws said. "It's great for families. It teaches good work ethic."

Common Ground Garden also hosts special events at its farm. There are kids activities, cooking demonstrations and samples.

Common Ground Garden and Baker's Acres will be part of a Festival of Farms tour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 12. The event starts at Baker's Acres and is $30 per family (or $15 a person) in advance or $35 per family (or $20 a person) at the door. Lunch is included.

For Baker, it will be a chance to show off her emerging farm.

She hopes to increase her CSA subscriptions to 100 next year — a move that should help keep her out of a cubicle.

"I want to be close to what's real," Baker said. "Growing food for our community is a step in that direction."

CSA operations in Central Minnesota

• Baker's Acres - In Avon, with seven Central Minnesota pickup locations. $550 for weekly share; $375 for every other week share. Call 309-0746 or visit www.bakersacresfarm.com for more information.

• Bannockbarn Farm -In Cold Spring, with only pickup at St. Cloud Area Farmers Market. $300, $200 and $100 memberships available. Call 685-8319 or visit www.bannockburnfarm.com for more information.

• Common Ground Garden - In St. Joseph, with two Central Minnesota pickup locations. $450 for full share; $270 for half share. Call 219-3389 or visit www.sbm.osb.org/ministries/common_ground_garden for more information.

If you go ...

What: Festival of Farms. A tour of area farms that includes a lunch.

Where: Starts at Baker's Acres in Avon. Tour also stops at Emmerich's Produce, Dancing Bears and Common Ground Garden.

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 12.

Cost:$15 per person/$30 per family in advance, or $20 per person/$35 per family at the door. Sign up at www.SFA-MN.org/festival-of-farms.